Die Cut Darla: April 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

How to use your Cricut class

Do you live in Halifax/Dartmouth area? Do you own a cricut machine but either don't know how to use it or are looking for more ways to use it? Have something specific you want to learn, etc???
I am teaching cricut classes now at Carousel Rubber Stamps in Dartmouth and would love to help getting you to use your machine more!!!

Please email myself darlamcc@eastlink.ca or contact Carousel 902-464-9474 for more info or to let them know you're interested and exactly what you're looking to learn at a class. We need this info as I am trying to tailor the classes to those who want them.

There has already been 2 classes for the absolute beginner who has a machine but is not sure where to start. This class covers basics like keeping your mat useable for a long time, changing blades, how to use a cartridge and which buttons to press to get it to cut everything you can from the cartridges, what orientation to expect the images to cut, how to adjust the size for what you want... It also covers how to cut your layered images so the fit together properly. Lots more is covered in the class but it truly is a "basic" class and is not intended for more experienced users. This class will be offered again if there is enough people interested. You will see how to create a simple card with a layer during this class as well.

I am in the process of developing the second class in this series for the next step.... So far I will be including topics such as your extra function buttons and when/why to use them (these are the fit to page,fit to length, auto fill, quantity, etc buttons as well as the multicut feature, center point, etc. Basically all of those buttons between the display and the keyboard overlay.

Looking to develop more advanced classes as well... Perhaps a class on using Design Studio?? Maybe you know how to use the machine but are looking for ideas we could do a class on making embossing folders from cereal boxes? Maybe you want to see other materials cut such as magnet, vinyl, chipboard, stencil plastic, acetate, etc with some tips and tricks??

The classes will be made to suit those interested so speak up!!!!! :)

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop

Welcome to my Blog and the Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop! If you've come from visiting Kacee - http://youhadmeatscrap.blogspot.com/ , you're in the right place. If you were just looking at my blog and want to play along with our blog hopping fun, you can start at the beginning at http://nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com/. This blog hop is all about creating something sweet for your Easter celebrations. We hope you find inspirations and plenty of ideas to spice up your holiday :)

Anyone that knows me knows that I am not a baker or cook of any sort for that matter so..... a paper cupcake it is. I kept the colours very Easter like (there was supposed to be more Easter themed stuff for this post but well... more on that later), although with this sentiment it could really be used for all sorts of things. Most was done with my craft robo cutter (exceptions of the sentiment - Gina K. Designs, and the punched border - Fiskars oh and the image was coloured in with my memento markers although the image itself was drawn with my craft robo sketch pen). The designs are not my originals but are from the Silhouette online store silhouetteonlinestore.com .

I have to tell you though that I did TRY to bake real cupcakes with my 2 year old this week for the hop.... but they didn't "puff" up properly (probably because he kept eating the batter so they weren't as full as they should've been to begin with LOL) and then we tried a batch of cookies.... but we had a potty emergency and they got just a little too close to burnt for me to want to take a picture and post. The cupcakes were going to be those really cute ones with the little nests on top made of aero bar pieces and mini eggs.

We also decorated some real eggs that I was going to place around the project as decoration however.... well... lets just say I didn't think smashed egg shells in different colours would have the same effect! Also, my DH had a nail bounce through the side of the pieces of wood he was nailing together for our new linen closet he's making and through 1 finger into the bone of the next so after a full day in emerg having xrays taken and then having them yank it out and what have you I just didn't have time to make new ones to replace the smashed egg shells with. He is just fine by the way although his pride is very hurt and he's mad at himself more than anything. He was determined to finish the project this weekend and now will not be using his hand at all this weekend.

Well.. that's enough babble from me.... here's my project: (make sure you check out ALL the stops on the hop... you might find some candy along the way )